<![CDATA[Confessions of a Slow Cooker]]>Fertility is a such an interesting topic THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO TALK ABOUT ENOUGH. This podcast aims to change that. Maybe you grew up thinking you’d get pregnant if someone breathed on you the wrong way…until you started trying to actually get pregnant. Or maybe you felt guilty that you weren’t thrilled when you got pregnant and you and your partner weren’t trying at all. Or maybe you felt the world tip over when you miscarried. IVF, surrogacy, egg donors, IUIs, loss, endometriosis…it’s a lot. Hosted by IVF mom Ashlyne Blue, Confessions of a Slow Cooker is a place for anyone in search of radical candor, stories (the good and the harrowing), answers, tips, and resources to navigate journey to becoming a mother with the very women who lived to tell the tale.

]]>https://confessionsofaslowcooker.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 18 May 2026 02:40:07 GMTFri, 30 Jan 2026 21:43:49 GMT60Ashlyne Blue<p>Fertility is a such an interesting topic THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO TALK ABOUT ENOUGH. This podcast aims to change that. Maybe you grew up thinking you’d get pregnant if someone breathed on you the wrong way…until you started trying to actually get pregnant. Or maybe you felt guilty that you weren’t thrilled when you got pregnant and you and your partner weren’t trying at all. Or maybe you felt the world tip over when you miscarried. IVF, surrogacy, egg donors, IUIs, loss, endometriosis…it’s a lot. Hosted by IVF mom Ashlyne Blue, Confessions of a Slow Cooker is a place for anyone in search of radical candor, stories (the good and the harrowing), answers, tips, and resources to navigate journey to becoming a mother with the very women who lived to tell the tale.</p>episodicAshlyne Bluesmallbatchsound@gmail.comyes<![CDATA[Episode 11: The Little Embryo That Could with Jennifer Wayne]]>Jennifer Wayne was going to have a career in music. And she did. And then she was on TV. And then...wait 35 is considered geriatric? She needs to freeze her eggs? She can't? But wasn't getting pregnant supposed to be like the easy part?

No, not everyone will have all of Jennifer's story. But a lot of us have run up to the wall of infertility with the same questions around age and timing and the unfortunate truth that while some may have no trouble starting a family...a lot of us do.

For more from Jennifer:
https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwayne/
https://www.americanpainthat.com

Have a question or have a fertility story to share?

Email Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue

]]>5b9d81b2-2f94-47af-b5f2-980b939a7186Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>Jennifer Wayne was going to have a career in music. And she did. And then she was on TV. And then...wait 35 is considered geriatric? She needs to freeze her eggs? She can't? But wasn't getting pregnant supposed to be like the easy part? <br /><br />No, not everyone will have all of Jennifer's story. But a lot of us have run up to the wall of infertility with the same questions around age and timing and the unfortunate truth that while some may have no trouble starting a family...a lot of us do. <br /><br />For more from Jennifer: <br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwayne/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwayne/</a><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.americanpainthat.com" target="_blank">https://www.americanpainthat.com</a><br /><br />Have a question or have a fertility story to share? <br /><br />Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a><br /><br />Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue</p>yes01:13:47111Episode 11: The Little Embryo That Could with Jennifer Waynefull<![CDATA[Episode 8: 8 Pregnancies, 6 Miscarriages, 1 IVF, 2 Kids with Courtney Dashe]]>Nashville-based singer/songwriter Courtney Dashe never envisioned that she would spend so much time and effort forming a family...I mean, who does really? A long time = a long story, and one Courtney spared no detail on.

This is an episode for the women who don't want the "short version" of something so important, so harrowing, so scary at times. Not to win the I-Had-It-Worse-Than-You competition that doesn't actually exist but sometimes feels like it does. Just to tell it. All of it. For someone out there who needs it.

For more from Courtney Dashe:
https://www.instagram.com/courtneydashe/
https://courtneydashe.substack.com
https://resolve.org/

Have a question or have a fertility story to share?

Email Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com
Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue

]]>58ff34a4-e2d4-4ed8-ab51-bd9263d4c1dbTue, 21 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>Nashville-based singer/songwriter Courtney Dashe never envisioned that she would spend so much time and effort forming a family...I mean, who does really? A long time = a long story, and one Courtney spared no detail on. <br /><br />This is an episode for the women who don't want the "short version" of something so important, so harrowing, so scary at times. Not to win the I-Had-It-Worse-Than-You competition that doesn't actually exist but sometimes feels like it does. Just to tell it. All of it. For someone out there who needs it. <br /><br />For more from Courtney Dashe: <br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/courtneydashe/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/courtneydashe/</a><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://courtneydashe.substack.com" target="_blank">https://courtneydashe.substack.com</a><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://resolve.org/" target="_blank">https://resolve.org/</a><br /><br />Have a question or have a fertility story to share? <br /><br />Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a><br />Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue</p>yes01:29:0118Episode 8: 8 Pregnancies, 6 Miscarriages, 1 IVF, 2 Kids with Courtney Dashefull<![CDATA[Episode 10: Pregnant Palooza with Rebecca June Smith]]>Like so many fertility stories, there is just so much you might not know about your friends and neighbors' struggles. It might not be because they don't want you to know, it may be that they are just in the thick of it. Case in point, Ashlyne finds out a lot she didn't know about her dear friend Rebecca June Smith. From an early diagnosis of PCOS and the assumption she wouldn't be able to have children biologically (because they TOLD HER so) to getting pregnancy six months after she got married to a total of four children by age 39 and a lot of other medical issues along the way, Rebecca brings her typical charm and comedic relief to the journey. You'll love her as much as Ashlyne does.

Rebecca's Instagram

Ashlyne's Instagram: @ashlynehuffblue | @confessionsofaslowcooker

If you have a question or have a fertility story to share:

ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

https://confessionsofaslowcooker.com

]]>f0786fb8-1cdb-4eb5-8878-d868ddbfc6b6Tue, 05 May 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>Like so many fertility stories, there is just so much you might not know about your friends and neighbors' struggles. It might not be because they don't <i>want</i> you to know, it may be that they are just in the thick of it. Case in point, Ashlyne finds out a lot she didn't know about her dear friend Rebecca June Smith. From an early diagnosis of PCOS and the assumption she wouldn't be able to have children biologically (because they TOLD HER so) to getting pregnancy six months after she got married to a total of four children by age 39 and a lot of other medical issues along the way, Rebecca brings her typical charm and comedic relief to the journey. You'll love her as much as Ashlyne does.</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/rebeccajunesmith/" target="_blank">Rebecca's Instagram</a></p><p></p><p>Ashlyne's Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/ashlynehuffblue/" target="_blank">@ashlynehuffblue </a>| <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/confessionsofaslowcooker/" target="_blank">@confessionsofaslowcooker</a></p><p></p><p>If you have a question or have a fertility story to share:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a></p><p></p><p>https://confessionsofaslowcooker.com</p>yes00:58:36110Episode 10: Pregnant Palooza with Rebecca June Smithfull<![CDATA[Episode 7: A Case For Acupuncture with Alex Leddy]]>We've all heard about acupuncture, but did you know it can help in your fertility? Acupuncturist Alex Leddy (and Ashlyne's personal acupuncturist) talks about the ways it can impact your stress levels, pathways inside the body, and the specific protocols she implements for those in the transfer phase of IVF. Alex also shares a little bit of her own fertility journey.

If you've ever wanted to know more about how acupuncture can aid in your own fertility, this is a must-listen.

Alex Leddy: http://alexleddyacupuncture.com

Referenced in the episode:

Spirit Babies book

IVF/Acupuncture Research

IVF/Acupuncture Research 2

IVF/Acupuncture Research 3

Photo courtesy of Kelsey Brunner

Ashlyne Blue:

Instagram- @ashlynehuffblue | @confessionsofaslowcooker

If you have questions or have a fertility story to share, email us! ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

https://confessionsofaslowcooker.com

]]>39107c8e-7675-46d6-8d07-329407be6135Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>We've all heard about acupuncture, but did you know it can help in your fertility? Acupuncturist Alex Leddy (and Ashlyne's personal acupuncturist) talks about the ways it can impact your stress levels, pathways inside the body, and the specific protocols she implements for those in the transfer phase of IVF. Alex also shares a little bit of her own fertility journey.</p><p></p><p>If you've ever wanted to know more about how acupuncture can aid in your own fertility, this is a must-listen.</p><p></p><p>Alex Leddy: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://alexleddyacupuncture.com" target="_blank">http://alexleddyacupuncture.com</a></p><p>Referenced in the episode:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Babies-Communicate-Child-Youre/dp/0385338120/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37YVHVDAE5EZD&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PvpyKiNmF1G6ErHf-FHF4fMhPyrsJ0_ywp-r672_Btc08eEPAW5TKmd4tBkFr2KFZwdZAF4cBNYcqT-WA0S8_A.VOOkVXI3j9kvYxzp5EL3L9ZBlZoQCiOBg82oTbXNe6o&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=spirit+babies+-+walter+makichen&amp;qid=1775163552&amp;sprefix=spirit+babies%2Caps%2C290&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank">Spirit Babies book</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://yourivfacupuncture.com/research/medical-research-article-1/" target="_blank">IVF/Acupuncture Research</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://yourivfacupuncture.com/faq-about-acupuncture-and-chinese-medicine/blood-flow-treatment-faqs/" target="_blank">IVF/Acupuncture Research 2</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://yourivfacupuncture.com" target="_blank">IVF/Acupuncture Research 3</a></p><p></p><p>Photo courtesy of Kelsey Brunner</p><p></p><p>Ashlyne Blue:</p><p>Instagram- <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/ashlynehuffblue/" target="_blank">@ashlynehuffblue</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/confessionsofaslowcooker/" target="_blank">@confessionsofaslowcooker</a></p><p></p><p>If you have questions or have a fertility story to share, email us! <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">https://confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>yes01:16:3617Episode 7: A Case For Acupuncture with Alex Leddyfull<![CDATA[Episode 9: Multiple Miscarriages with Whitney Newby]]>It's commonly said that every pregnancy is different, and the same goes for miscarriages. Whitney Newby knows this all too well as she had a miscarriage (3) between each of her four successful pregnancies. Listen as Whitney shares the rollercoaster her body and heart endured during this journey as well as tips she learned through her experience.

For more from Whitney Newby: http://brighterdaypress.com

IG @brighterdaypress

If you have questions or want to share your fertility story, email ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

http://confessionsofaslowcooker.com

Ashlyne's IG: @ashlynehuffblue | @confessionsofaslowcooker

]]>76e7e77c-1563-4520-81bb-ab1c29edc39fTue, 28 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>It's commonly said that every pregnancy is different, and the same goes for miscarriages. Whitney Newby knows this all too well as she had a miscarriage (3) between each of her four successful pregnancies. Listen as Whitney shares the rollercoaster her body and heart endured during this journey as well as tips she learned through her experience. </p><p></p><p>For more from Whitney Newby: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://brighterdaypress.com" target="_blank">http://brighterdaypress.com</a></p><p>IG @brighterdaypress</p><p></p><p>If you have questions or want to share your fertility story, email <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">http://confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a></p><p></p><p>Ashlyne's IG: @ashlynehuffblue | @confessionsofaslowcooker</p>no00:43:0919Episode 9: Multiple Miscarriages with Whitney Newbyfull<![CDATA[Episode 6: Primary Ovarian Insufficient But Still A Total Betty with Jennifer Newell ]]>Jennifer Newell (and Ashlyne’s best friend of over twenty years) was diagnosed Premature Ovarian Failure (now known as Primary Ovarian Insufficiency) at sixteen. In the Wild West that women’s healthcare during that time, she was left to do a lot of self-advocacy and navigation on her own. Infertility is not a fun subject for anyone. Not for the one who is unable to get pregnant (if she wanted to), not for her partner, not for those who love her and know she’d be the absolute best mother out there. But it has to be talked about. And there isn’t a more perfect person to talk infertility with than Jennifer—or women’s healthcare.


For more from Jennifer: https://bettysco.com

Instagram: @jenn_newell & @bettsyco

Have a question or have a fertility story to share?

Email Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue

]]>86c6063e-f172-4d11-9cea-361034c5388cTue, 07 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>Jennifer Newell (and Ashlyne’s best friend of over twenty years) was diagnosed Premature Ovarian Failure (now known as Primary Ovarian Insufficiency) at sixteen. In the Wild West that women’s healthcare during that time, she was left to do a lot of self-advocacy and navigation on her own. Infertility is not a fun subject for anyone. Not for the one who is unable to get pregnant (if she wanted to), not for her partner, not for those who love her and know she’d be the absolute best mother out there. But it has to be talked about. And there isn’t a more perfect person to talk infertility with than Jennifer—or women’s healthcare. <br /><br /><br />For more from Jennifer: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bettysco.com" target="_blank">https://bettysco.com</a> <br /><br />Instagram: @jenn_newell &amp; @bettsyco<br /><br />Have a question or have a fertility story to share? <br /><br />Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a><br /><br />Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue</p>yes01:09:3416Episode 6: Primary Ovarian Insufficient But Still A Total Betty with Jennifer Newell full<![CDATA[Episode 5: ABCs of IVF (Part 3) - Embryo Testing & Transfer(s)]]>In the third and final installment of the ABCs of IVF, Ashlyne walks through the embryo transfer process (or in her case, two transfers) and how it felt to navigate the unexpected loss of one of her two precious embryos.

Have a question or have a fertility story to share?

Email Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue

]]>c73bbb20-5ede-4baf-a6e8-e2e64dd7ed62Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>In the third and final installment of the ABCs of IVF, Ashlyne walks through the embryo transfer process (or in her case, two transfers) and how it felt to navigate the unexpected loss of one of her two precious embryos. <br /><br />Have a question or have a fertility story to share? <br /><br />Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a><br /><br />Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue</p>yes00:20:3715Episode 5: ABCs of IVF (Part 3) - Embryo Testing & Transfer(s)full<![CDATA[Episode 4: ABCs of IVF (Part 2) - The Egg Retrieval]]>In second installment of three-part series called the ABCs of IVF, Ashlyne Blue goes through the most involved part of the IVF process: the egg retrieval. The prep your body has to go through, the stim cycle of meds, all the way to the procedure itself.

Have a question or have a fertility story to share?

Email Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue

]]>b7516736-a5f4-455d-ad20-e122e95522eaTue, 24 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>In second installment of three-part series called the ABCs of IVF, Ashlyne Blue goes through the most involved part of the IVF process: the egg retrieval. The prep your body has to go through, the stim cycle of meds, all the way to the procedure itself. <br /><br />Have a question or have a fertility story to share? <br /><br />Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a><br /><br />Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue</p>yes00:19:5314Episode 4: ABCs of IVF (Part 2) - The Egg Retrievalfull<![CDATA[Episode 3: ABCs of IVF (Part 1) - The Initial Consultation & Work Up]]>There are multiple ways to get to the point where you might consider in vitro fertilization (IVF). But no matter the reason, the process largely remains the same. That process, however, is quite complicated and sort of daunting.

In this three-part series, Ashlyne Blue breaks down the whole thing using her personal journey starting with the initial consultation and the work-up (part 1), the egg retrieval (part 2), and the embryo transfer (part 3).

Have a question or have a fertility story to share?

Email Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue

]]>0e67af28-3efe-4b10-9609-133dbd166739Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>There are multiple ways to get to the point where you might consider in vitro fertilization (IVF). But no matter the reason, the process largely remains the same. That process, however, is quite complicated and sort of daunting. <br /><br />In this three-part series, Ashlyne Blue breaks down the whole thing using her personal journey starting with the initial consultation and the work-up (part 1), the egg retrieval (part 2), and the embryo transfer (part 3).<br /><br />Have a question or have a fertility story to share? <br /><br />Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">Ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a><br /><br />Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker | @ashlynehuffblue</p>yes00:12:0813Episode 3: ABCs of IVF (Part 1) - The Initial Consultation & Work Upfull<![CDATA[Episode 2: 1 PCOS, 2 Miscarriages, 4 Kids with Maddie See ]]>Last episode you heard how much Ashlyne struggled to GET pregnant. Enter her sister Maddie who had the exact opposite problem...among other issues.

Listen to a very candid, a very sistery conversation with lots of awkward stories, a few tragic moments, and laughs throughout.

Maddie's Instagram: @madelynesee

Ashlyne: @ashlynehuffblue | @confessionsofaslowcooker

confessionsofaslowcooker.com | ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

]]>57fa96a5-ad53-4120-a10e-c77cb8b7dc3bTue, 10 Mar 2026 14:19:36 GMT<p>Last episode you heard how much Ashlyne struggled to GET pregnant. Enter her sister Maddie who had the exact opposite problem...among other issues.</p><p></p><p>Listen to a very candid, a very sistery conversation with lots of awkward stories, a few tragic moments, and laughs throughout.</p><p></p><p>Maddie's Instagram: @madelynesee</p><p></p><p>Ashlyne: @ashlynehuffblue | @confessionsofaslowcooker</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a> | ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</p><p></p><p></p><p></p>yes00:54:3712Episode 2: 1 PCOS, 2 Miscarriages, 4 Kids with Maddie See full<![CDATA[Episode 1: Ashlyne's Fertility Journey ]]>Host Ashlyne Blue shares her fertility journey that ultimately ended up in IVF. She also makes the case for why this podcast is much needed (and why it's ok that she's not a doctor).

Confessionsofaslowcooker.com

Want to share your fertility journey on the pod? Email us at

ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker

@ashlynehuffblue

]]>ed6db70e-bba4-4178-9989-f65a53b7ece8Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>Host Ashlyne Blue shares her fertility journey that ultimately ended up in IVF. She also makes the case for why this podcast is much needed (and why it's ok that she's not a doctor).</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">Confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a></p><p></p><p>Want to share your fertility journey on the pod? Email us at</p><p>ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</p><p></p><p>Instagram: @confessionsofaslowcooker</p><p>@ashlynehuffblue</p>no00:11:1111Episode 1: Ashlyne's Fertility Journey full<![CDATA[Trailer: What's This Show About?]]>A brief introduction to the show before the good stuff gets dropped.

Confessionsofaslowcooker.com


If you have a fertility story you'd like to share, email us at

ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com

]]>e93bd47d-3769-4dc2-98eb-922445c83c16Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>A brief introduction to the show before the good stuff gets dropped. </p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Confessionsofaslowcooker.com" target="_blank">Confessionsofaslowcooker.com</a></p><p><br />If you have a fertility story you'd like to share, email us at</p><p>ashlyne@confessionsofaslowcooker.com</p>no00:04:371Trailer: What's This Show About?trailer<![CDATA[We're Having A...Podcast!]]>New fertility podcast due March 3rd :)

]]>74e51de6-5cff-44fb-93da-3029c3e408b1Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:45:03 GMT<p>New fertility podcast due March 3rd :)</p>no00:02:031We're Having A...Podcast!trailer